ATLA Marathon: "The Boiling Rock"

 

Just looking at one episode today, which is a two parter: "The Boiling Rock".

Sokka asks Zuko about where the Fire Nation holds prisoners of war, hoping to find out what happened to his father. Zuko tells him that the most likely location is a maximum security prison known as "The Boiling Rock". Deducing that Sokka intends to rescue Hakoda, Zuko opts to travel with him. After their war balloon crashes, they pose as guards and reunite with Suki, but discover that there aren't any Water Tribe prisoners. They promptly devise an escape plan.

The titular prison serves as an excellent setting. Situated in the middle of a boiling volcanic lake and accessible only via cable car, inmates are subject to abusive guards. The punishment for firebending is to be locked in a literal and figurative "cooler", where the freezing temperatures make firebending impossible.

The first part has a lot of tension as Sokka and Zuko are undercover, especially when it's revealed that the prison warden is Mai's uncle and recognises Zuko, and Mai later shows up bitter over Zuko leaving her. Suki also recognises Zuko from his raid on her village, resulting in some teeth-clenched teamwork. On top of that, an inmate named Chit Seng learns they're planning an escape and threatens to rat them out if they don't let him join.

Using his incredible brand of ingenuity, Sokka devises a scheme with the three of them to use one of the cooler cells as a boat to float across the lake. But as they're carrying it out, they learn that a new batch of inmates is arriving which includes several war prisoners. Sokka opts to stay, and Suki and Zuko join him, but Chit Seng and his friends leave. However, the plan doesn't work and they get caught, while Sokka confirms that Hakoda is amongst the inmates.

I've heard people say that the first part is unneccesary and that the first exape attempt seems like padding. While I agree with the sentiments, I also quite like how it plays out, with some funny dialogue that ensues. On top of that, it creates a tense yet satisfying scene as the warden questions Chit Seng over the incident. Chit Seng claims to have colluded with a guard, creating some tension as Sokka is brought into a line-up, but then identifies the guard who bullied him. It's satisfying, but takes another tense turn as Azula interrupts the interrogation and immediately deduces he was a fall guy.

Part Two is more action-packed, with Sokka making contact with Hakoda and devising a new plan; start a prison riot and escape in the cable car after taking the warden hostage. There's a funny moment when Hakoda tries to start a riot by shoving the largest inmate he can find, only for the inmate to say he's trying to manage his anger. Chit Seng promptly grabs an inmate and shouts "Hey! Riot!" That works, and Suki quickly captures the warden after some almost Spiderman-like climbing ability.

Anyway, the climax is fantastic, but I'm going to have to spoil it. They escape in the cable car with the warden, but Azula and Ty Lee pursue them. As the party battle them on top of the gondola, the warden orders the guards to cut the line. As Azula and Ty Lee break off their attack, Mai attacks the prison guards to aid the escape, telling Azula that she loves Zuko more than she fear Azula. When Azula goes to attack, Ty Lee sides with Mai and chi-blocks her. It's an epic moment which has a ripple effect on the finale, so I had to mention it here. It also provides an interesting message about protecting those you love and standing by those who stood by you.

I love the first part for the tension, and the second part for the action.